Turkey finishes fourth in Grand Prix, Brazil champions

TOKYO

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Turkish national women’s volleyball team ended the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals on fourth spot after a four-set victory over Belgium at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, as Brazil won the title on Aug. 24.

Turkey rallied from losing the first set 26-24 to take thre next three sets 25-21, 25-23 and 25-20 to end the tournament on fourth spot.

Coach Massimo Barbolini praised both his team and opponents Belgium.

“I think [Belgium] are one of the more interesting teams at the moment,” he was quoted on the FIVB website. “And congratulations again to my team, not only for the victory today but for the wonderful World Grand Prix that we have played.”

Turkey finished its Final Six group on seven points, level with third spot holder Russia, barely missing a bronze medal.

But still, coming to the tournament with a young group, Turkey had an impressive performance, outside hitter Neriman Özsoy said.

“In this World Grand Prix, we have a younger team and we are training hard and doing our best to improve ourselves,” she said.

Later in the day, Brazil beat host Japan in straight sets to claim its 10th World Grand Prix title.
Brazil was dominant from the start to the finish, beating the hosts 25,-15, 25-18 and 27-25.

With four wins and one defeat in the Final Six group, Brazil ended with 13 points, after losing only to Turkey.

Runner-up Japan finished with 12 points. China came fifth and Belgium was named sixth.

Turkey’s next target will be the Women’s World Championship in Italy next month. The team, nicknamed “the Sultans,” will try to better their best sixth finish in 2010.